Platt Tech students rebuild torched 'Swamp'

After vandals torched an outdoor classroom two consecutive weekends in 2006, sophomores at Platt Tech sawed, drilled and hammered out a new classroom. Students say by rebuilding the "The Swamp," they've

News 12 Staff

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Jun 17, 2008, 3:45 PM

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Updated 6,234 days ago

After vandals torched an outdoor classroom two consecutive weekends in 2006, sophomores at Platt Tech sawed, drilled and hammered out a new classroom.

Students say by rebuilding the "The Swamp," they've learned how to work for someone and have a deadline, adding while they don't get a paycheck, they have to ensure they don't receive a failing mark.

"It's the oldest educational philosophy in the world - learning by doing. And that's what we do here," says principal Gene LaPorta.

The school, which used a $10,000 grant from Lowe's for the project, installed security cameras to prevent an arsonist from striking again.